WEST HARTFORD, CONN. The Hartford Women's Volleyball team hosted the visiting Western New England Golden Bears, Wednesday Nov. 6th. In a back and forth battle to the bitter end, it would be the road team who would come out on top in four sets, 3-1 (25-11), (25-18), (19-25), (25-24).
Rapid Recap:
Set 1: The Golden Bears of Western New England got things going early as they would score the first point of the match; this momentum would carry them early on as they found themselves ahead 5-1. After an early timeout from Hartford head coach Vinh Nguyen the Hawks began to find their footing, inching their way back into the game and bringing the score within three 8-5. However Western New England would go on yet another run, putting them up 16-8, right over the halfway point of the set. A 7-0 run from WNE would extend this lead further and eventually the deficit became too wide to overcome as the visiting Golden Bears would snag set one 25-11.
Set 2: Hartford would be the ones to score first to start the second set. The Golden Bears would retaliate quickly to even the score, and a back-and-forth game would ensue for both teams. Western New England would be the ones to break the pattern as they found themselves up 8-6. However, Hartford would bring it right back; tying the game at 8. The back-and-forth would continue until the game was even once again at 14 a piece around the midway point of set two. Western New England would soon catch fire late into the second set as a 11-2 run would all but put it away, and the Golden Bears would take set two 25-18.
Set 3: The Hawks would be the first to score in the third set, as they would jump to an early 2-0 lead. Nonetheless the Golden Bears would fight their way back earning a 3-2 lead. The set would continue with several ties and lead changes until Hartford would secure a 3-point lead at 8-5. Western New England would try and chip away at the Hartford lead, but the Hawks were able to keep them at bay, as they would extend their lead 13-8. The Hawks would maintain this five point advantage nearing the end of the set as the score would find itself to 20-15. The Hartford lead would continue through the end of the third set as Hartford would take it 25-19.
Set 4: WNE would open the scoring in the fourth set, only for Hartford to retaliate with a 3-1 run that would put them up 3-2. However, a 5-1 run from the Golden Bears would put them ahead 6-4. However, Hartford would return this with a run of their own, as they would score four unanswered to put them ahead 8-7. Once again, the back and forth would proceed as both teams wound up in a stalemate 12-12 around the halfway point. The back and forth would continue into the late stages of the set as it looked like either team could take it. In the end it would be Western New England who would walk away with the victory, as they would take set four 25-24 and the match 3-1.
Inside the Numbers:
- Freshman Tiffany Mendez (Bay Shore, N.Y.) lead the team in kills with 15.
- Junior Kylee Connally (Dallas, TX)lead Hartford in assists with 13.
- Sohphomore Liahnna Orange (Linden, NJ) had the most digs for the Hawks with 11.
- Sophomore Jordan Murphy had the second most kills for Hartford with 9.
Up Next:
The Hawks will host Wentworth Institute of Technology on Saturday, November 9 at 11AM at Chase Family Arena.
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